Advancing Circular Manufacturing: Benchmarking SME Practices in a German Metal Products Hub Against European Trends

This study examines circular economy (CE) practices in a German region dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the metal products manufacturing sector. We compare CE strategies adopted by 39 regional companies against a broader sample of 172 European frms. Our analysis focuses on the prevalence of various CE goals and 10R strategies across these geographical contexts. Findings reveal significant disparities, particularly for the ‘reduce’ and ‘recycle’ strategies. These insights form the foundation for developing targeted interventions to enhance CE implementation in the region’s manufacturing systems. The study contributes to the growing body of research on CE in manufacturing and provides valuable insights for policymakers and industry practitioners aiming to promote sustainable production practices in SME-dominated regions. Future work will explore the establishment of a competence center to facilitate CE activities within the region.